Slide for bracelets and the like



Jan. 29, 1963 K. GAUPP v 3,075,266

SLIDE FOR BRACELETS AND THE LIKE Filed March 14, 1960 l Inventar, Kurt Gaujwjv,

ay JHM WMM A tiys.

3,075,266 SLRE FR BRAQELETS AND THE LIKE Kurt Gaupp, Maplewood, Nal., assigner to Forstner, luc., irvingten, NJ., a corporation or? New Jersey Filed Mar. 14, 19439, der. No. ldZ Claims. (iii. Zen-lle) The present invention relates to an adjustable bracelet or chain construction. More particularly the present invention relates to a slide-lock assembly for use in bracelets and chains wherein the elfective dimension of the bracelet or chain may be adjusted.

It is the usual practice in the securement of adjustable watch bands or bracelet constructions on a Wearers wrist to provide a buckle securing means or an expansible bracelet construction that combines with the watch or other ornamental article to form a wrist encircling member. Although the liexible type of bracelet construction and the buckle type strap provide for adjustability of the watch band or bracelet, they normally are applied in tight skin engaging relation on the wearers wrist. Moreover, watch straps and expansible bracelets are limits in their ornamental presentation since they can only be constructed in several well known forms. Consequently it is not only desirable to co-nstruct a bracelet wherein the encircling member may be adjusted as desired on the wearers wrist but to also provide a construction which includes ornamental chain not normally associated with bracelets. In carrying out the invention, a novel slide lock member is employed that cooperates with a chain construction and is easily manipulated to adjust the bracelet on the wrist of the wearer as desired. Although the present invention has particular application with bracelets for use with watches and other ornamental articles that are applied to a wearers wrist, it will be understood from the following description that the invention may be applied to extensible chains and the like.

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a slide lock construction for use in bracelets for adjusting the eiiective dimension thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a slide lock for use in a bracelet or chain construction that frictionally engages opposed portions of the chain construction for varying or adjusting the effective dimension thereof.

Still another object is to provide a variable extension construction for use in bracelets, key chains and other jewelry articles having iiexible chain parts.

Still another object is to provide a slide lock for use with flexible chain portions, the slide lock including resiliently biased friction guides that slidably receive the iiexible chan portons therein, wherein the chain portions are frictionally locked in position by the slide lock.

Still another object is to provide a slide or friction lock for use in flexible chains wherein the chains extending through the slide lock are easily moved therethrough but are held in tight frictional engagement at the position to which they are moved.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated by rne for carrying out my invention:

FIG. l is a side elevational view of the bracelet construction embodied herein showing the manner in which the bracelet construction is attached to a watch and further showing the relation of the slide lock with respect to the chain portions of the bracelet;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 2 2 in FIG. l;

States Patent O FIG. 3 is a sectional View taken along lines 3 3 in FIG. 2;

IFIG. 4 is a perspective View of one of the spring members that forms a part of the slide lock assembly; and

FlG. 5 is a perspective View of one ot the bearing or friction guides that forms a part of the slide lock assembly.

Although the present invention will be described for use with a wrist watch or the like it will be understood that the basic concept embodied herein may be utilized in other jewelry articles such as key chains, neck chains, bracelets and other jewelry items having iiexibie chain parts.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a wristwatch indicated at l@ is illustrated, and although a watch is shown in the drawing, it is understood that other ornamental articles such as precious gems, identiiication bars, photograph holders, and other jewelry items may be utilized with the chain construction to be described hereinafter without departing from the spirit of the invention. Formed on the watch it) are opposed spaced ears l2 and llt to which chain members generally indicated at i6 and l respectively are adapted to be pivotally secured. The chain members 16, I8 which define a chain assembly include chain portions 2d and 22. respectively that terminate in ferrules 2d, 26, the ferrules including clamp portions 28 and 3@ respectively that are interloclred in rings 32 and 31E. The chain portions Ztl and 22 as shown are of the snake type chain construction although it is understood that other types of tlexible chain constructions may be utilized without departing from the spirit of the invention. Joined to the tiexible chain portions 26 and 22 through ferrules 36 and 3S respectively are extensions 4d and 42 that are preferably formed in a small link chain construction and that terminate in free ends to which are secured hollow capsules i4 and 46 respectively, which in eiiect define ornamental tassels. The extension 4@ and 42 of the chain members extend through a friction or slide lock assembly generally indicated at 50 which is adapted to have relative movement with respect to the chain portions and is thereby adapted to vary or adjust the effective encircling dimension of the chain assembly for tightening or loosensing the bracelet construction on the wrist of the wearer.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 5, the details of the friction or slide lock S@ assembly are illustrated and include semi-spherical shells 52 and S4 which are provided with aligned openings 5d and 5S therein through which the chain member extensions dit and d2 project. As shown in FIG. 3, the shell 52 is formed with an annular flan-ged rim 6d which rictionally engages the adjacent edge of the shell 5d for securing the shells together to define a unitary housing. Disposed within the shells S2, 54' which deiine the slide lock housing are opposed bearings or friction guides one of which is generally indicated at 62, in FIG. 5. As seen in FIG. 5, the fraction guide 62 includes a central arcuate portion 6d. that is joined along the length thereof by flanges 66, the the peripheral edges of which are arcuate in configuration. As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, the guides d?. are positioned within the slide lock housing such that the open or concave sides of the arcuate portions 6d are in spaced opposed relation, thereby defining a channel 63 therebetween that communicates with the housing openings 56 and 58. Since the channel 68 deiined by the concave side of the arcuate portions 6d of the guides d2. is aligned with the openings S6 and Sd, the extensions di),

yl2 of the chain members 16, l extend therethrough and are located in engaging relation with the inner concave surfaces of the guides 62. Thus it is seen that the friction guides 62 deline bearing surfaces for the chain members 16, 13 that enables the chain members to be slidablyI the chain extensions di), 42 to be frictionally locked in the slide lock assembly at any place along their length Y thereof.

In order to force or 'urge the friction guides 62 into positive engagement with the chain extensions, spring members are provided one of which is generally indicated at 7i? in FIG. 4. Referring now to FIG. 4, the spring member 76) isl shown'including opposed curved spring fingers 72 that are spaced at the outer ends there-' of and are joined'at the inner ends thereof by an arcuate portion 74. The curvature of the arcuate portion '74 is substantially similar to the curvature of the spring ngers '72 so that the arcuate portion 74 is, in' effect, parallel with the spaced spring fingers 72. In the assembly off the slide lock Si), the spring members 7i) are positioned between the housing walls and the friction guides 62; Thus the spring fingers 72 are disposed in engaging relation with the walls of the housing while the arcuate portion 74 engages the arcuate portion'6'4 of the friction guide 62. It will be noted that although the curvature of the arcuate portion 74 of the spring member 70 is not identical with the curvature of the arcuate portion 64 of` the friction guide 62, the curvatures are sufficiently similar to enable suicient contact to be made therebetween. Thus when the spring members 70 are positioned between the housing walls and the friction guides 62, the spring fingers 72 will be compressed, thereby forcing the arcuate portion '74 against the arcuate portion 64 to urge the friction guides 62 into frictional engagement with the extensions 40 and 42. By forcing the friction guides 62 into engagement with the chain extensions 4b and 42, the chain extensions themselves are Vurged into engaging relation and due to the undulating natureof the chain construction additional friction Surfaces are defined there-V between for restraining movement of the chain extensions within the slide lock Si). However, since the'concave surfaces of the arcuate portions 64 ofthe friction guides 62 in effect form bearing surfaces, the chain extensions 40 andV 42 may be moved relative to the slide lock 50 when the effective dimension of the chain members 16, Y

18 is to be adjusted. Y

In use the watch 10 and the bracelet construction may be slipped onto the wrist of the wearer by increasing the encircling dimension of the chain assembly. This.

is accomplished by pulling outwardly on the slide lock 50 toward the free ends of the chain members 16, 18. Since the extensions 40 and 42 of the chain members 16, 18 are adapted to slide within the channel 68 defined by` the friction guides 62, the slide lock 50 will move toward the free ends of the chain members. is exerted by the spring members 70 on the friction guides 62 to cause the extensions 40, 4210 be retained in irictional engagement, so that the slide lock 50 will be moved only if suicient force is exerted thereon to, overcome the frictional resistance betweenthe extensions 40;Y

42 and their respective friction guides 62. It is" also seen that the eiective dimension of the bracelet construction may be varied or adjusted by exerting a pull on one or the other of the chain members, thereby moving one of the chain members with respect to the other. In this connection it will be noted that the present invention has particular application in devices other than that illustrated, and particularly in a key chain construction wherein the eective length of an extensible chain may be adjusted. friction guides 62 with respect to the chain extensions 40, 42 may be adjusted by varying the tension of the spring fingers 72 of the spring membersv '70. Since the spring lingers 72 positively engage the slide lock housing,

pulling of the spring tingers outwardly with respect to.

Sutlicient pressure If desired, the frictional engagement. of the,

their arcuate portion 74, will cause the spring fingersV ward the chain portions 2G, 22 thereby decreasing the encircling or effective dimensions of .the chain assembly. Since the slide lock Sti may be located in any position desired withY respect to the extensions 40, 42, the required encircling dimension of the bracelet construction may be easily vand quickly obtained. As contrasted with the expansible type of bracelet construction, the bracelet embodied herein may be adjusted at any time and without the need of 'adding or eliminating links or springs.

While there is shown anddescribed herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing h-om the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a braceletV construction, a chain assembly includ-v ing chain members terminating in opposed free ends, a slide lock through which said chain members extend, said slide lock and chain members having relative movement to change the effective dimension of said chain assembly said slide lock being defined by a housing in which spaced friction guides are positioned, each of said guides including an arcuate portion having lianges joined thereto, the concave sides of said arcuate portions being disposed in facing relation to define a channel for receiving said chain members therein, the depth and width of said channel being proportioned with respect to the dimension of each chain member in the direction of the depth of said channel, so that when the opposed arcuate portions of said friction guides are in their closest position, said chain members are in engagement with said arcuate portions, and resilient means positioned in said housing in engagement with said guides, said resilient means including spaced spring members, each of which includes curved spring fingers that engage the inner walls of the slide lock housing and van arcuate portion that is formed similarl'y to the arcuate portions of said guides, each of said spring member arcuate portions engaging the associated guide arcuate portion forY urging the associated guide into frictional engagement with a chain member, whereby said sl1de lock Yfrictionally retains said chain members in their relative position with respect to said slide lock regardless of the position to which said chain members are slidably moved;

2: In a bracelet construction, a chain assembly having chain members terminating in free ends, a slide lock housing engaging said chain assemblyandncluding coacting semi-spherical shells, said slide lock housing havs are in engagement with said arcuate portions, and spring' members located in said slide lock housing being formed with curved spring fingers that generally follow the curvature of said slide lock housing and arcuate Yportions gomed to said spring lingers and engaging the arcuate p01'- tions ofsaid friction guides for positively urging each of said friction guides into engagement with said chain members that extend through the openings in said slidetlock` housing and through the channel defined by said friction guides, wherein said chain members are movably retained in said slide lock housing by said spring members and are movable relative to said slide lock housing so that said slide lock housing may be frictionally retained in any position on said chain members for changing the eiective dimension of said chain assembly.

3. In a bracelet construction, a chain .assembly including opposed chain members, a slide lock engaging said opposed chain members, said slide lock and opposed chain members having relative movement with respect to each other to reduce the effective encircling dimension of said chain assembly, said slide lock including a housing detined by coacting substantially semi-spherical shells, each of said shells having an opening formed therein -through which said chain members extend, opposed friction guides positioned in said housing, each of which includes a portion that is arcuate in coniiguration, the concave sides of said arcuate portions facing each other to deline a channel therebetween for receiving said chain members therein, the depth and Width of said channel being proportioned with respect to the dimension of each chain member in the direction of the depth of said channel, so that when the opposed arcuate portions of said friction guides are in their closest position, said chain members are in engagement with said arcuate portions, and spring members positioned in said housing between the inner surfaces of said shells and said friction guides, said spring members including spaced curved spring iingers that engage the adjacent portions of the semi-spherical shells, wherein said spring members are compressed against the friction guides to urge said guides toward each other, thereby causing said friction guides to frictionally engage said chain members, whereby said chain members and slide lock will be retained in the relative positions to which they are moved.

4. In a bracelet construction, a chain assembly including opposed members that terminate in free ends, a slide lock engaging said opposed members and including a substantially spherical housing defined by coacting substantially semi-spherical shells, each of said shells having an opening formed in the end thereof through which the chain members extend, opposed friction members, each of which includes an arcuate portion that is shaped and proportioned for fitting in said spherical housing, the concave sides of said arcuate portions being disposed in facing relation to dene a slot therebetween through which said chain members extend, the depth and width of said slot being proportioned with respect to the dimension of each chain member in the direction of the depth of said slot, so that when the opposed arcuate portions of said friction members are in their closest position, said chain members are in engagement with said arcuate portions, and spring members each of which includes an arcuate portion that is shaped and proportioned for engaging an adjacent friction member, whereby said friction members are urged into frictional engagement with said chain members, said chain members and said slide lock being relatively movable to change the effective dimension of said chain assembly, the chain members being maintained in their relative position by the frictional engagement between said chain members and said friction members.

5. In a bracelet construction, a chain assembly including chain members terminating in opposed free ends, a slide lock through which said chain members extend, said slide lock and chain members having relative movement to change the eiective dimension of said chain assembly, said slide lock being defined by a housing in which spaced frictional guide members are positioned, each of said guide members including an arcuate portion having anges joined thereto, the concave sides of said arcuate portions being disposed in facing relation to detine a channel for receiving said chain members therein, the depth and Width of said channel being proportioned with respect to the dimension of each chain member in the direction of the depth of said channel, so that when the opposed arcuate portions of said frictional guide members are in their closest position, said chain members are in engagement with said arcuate portions, and resilient means positioned in said housing between the housing walls and said guide members and being located in positive engagement with said guide members for forcing said guide members into frictional engagement with said chain members, whereby said slide lock frictionally re' tains said chain members in their relative position with respect to said slide lock regardless of the position to which said chain members are slidably moved.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,159,223 Okun May 23, 1939 2,246,091 Forstner June 17, 1941 2,611,211 Stockton Sept. 23, 1952 2,856,661 Holl Oct. 21, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 419,795 France Nov. 14, 1910 1,155,521 France Dec. 2, 1957 24,940 Great Britain of 1912 

5. IN A BRACELET CONSTRUCTION, A CHAIN ASSEMBLY INCLUDING CHAIN MEMBERS TERMINATING IN OPPOSED FREE ENDS, A SLIDE LOCK THROUGH WHICH SAID CHAIN MEMBERS EXTEND, SAID SLIDE LOCK AND CHAIN MEMBERS HAVING RELATIVE MOVEMENT TO CHANGE THE EFFECTIVE DIMENSION OF SAID CHAIN ASSEMBLY, SAID SLIDE LOCK BEING DEFINED BY A HOUSING IN WHICH SPACED FRICTIONAL GUIDE MEMBERS ARE POSITIONED, EACH OF SAID GUIDE MEMBERS INCLUDING AN ARCUATE PORTION HAVING FLANGES JOINED THERETO, THE CONCAVE SIDES OF SAID ARCUATE PORTIONS BEING DISPOSED IN FACING RELATION TO DEFINE A CHANNEL FOR RECEIVING SAID CHAIN MEMBERS THEREIN, THE DEPTH AND WIDTH OF SAID CHANNEL BEING PROPORTIONED WITH RESPECT TO THE DIMENSION OF EACH CHAIN MEMBER IN THE DIRECTION OF THE DEPTH OF SAID CHANNEL, SO THAT WHEN THE OPPOSED ARCUATE PORTIONS OF SAID FRICTIONAL GUIDE MEMBERS ARE IN THEIR CLOSEST POSITION, SAID CHAIN MEMBERS ARE IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID ARCUATE PORTIONS, AND RESILIENT MEANS POSITIONED IN SAID HOUSING BETWEEN THE HOUSING WALLS AND SAID GUIDE MEMBERS AND BEING LOCATED IN POSITIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID GUIDE MEMBERS FOR FORCING SAID GUIDE MEMBERS INTO FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CHAIN MEMBERS, WHEREBY SAID SLIDE LOCK FRICTIONALLY RETAINS SAID CHAIN MEMBERS IN THEIR RELATIVE POSITION WITH RESPECT TO SAID SLIDE LOCK REGARDLESS OF THE POSITION TO WHICH SAID CHAIN MEMBERS ARE SLIDABLY MOVED. 